I really wish Windows Update would give me the option of permanently saying “No” to this ridiculous “Windows Rights Management” patch. From the patch information page:

During machine activation, your computer will be automatically connected via the Internet or by your entity’s proxy server in order to create and save on your computer a system component that is associated with your hardware. The system component is used by the software to allow you to access content that has been protected by the rights-enabled permission features of the software.

Basically, this upgrade means I give companies like Microsoft permission to take away access to the information on my computer. It “grants” me access to rights-managed software and content, which means one day I can open a file, the next day I might not be allowed to.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) poses a dangerous threat to the evolution of technology. When computer users are required to waive access to their own information, the computer goes from being a productivity tool to an interactive television.

This is just the next step in the war against Fair Use and rights of the average consumer. I urge everyone to not install the Windows Rights Management patch, and if you see any content or software which requires it, don’t use it. Show that you won’t sacrifice your property rights for someone else’s profit margins.